Radiator Fan Removal - How to? cleanup after some mud.

[Coldtoes]

I've looked around on this forum and Google to find any "how to" for getting the fan shroud loose/removed and haven't found anything. Do any of you have any experience / instructions/vids on this topic? Motivation for doing this is below.

Basic background here, I took my JTR up to Big Bear (CA) and found a mud puddle. I had some fun with it (see pic). I wasn't able to get the Jeep washed for about a week, so it was dried on there good. The muddy water was only about 4" deep, but it splashed up everywhere. After I washed it there has been an intermittent low pulse. The first time i heard it I thought a helicopter was flying by somewhere in the distance (I was parked). I shut off the jeep to listen and look for it, but there was total silence. I restarted the jeep and the noise did not return. I have since heard it a couple more times. When i washed my jeep I used one of the DIY places with the pressure washers and rinsed off all the mud/dirt inside the engine bay i could find/get to. It looks pretty clean but when laying under the JT looking for anything unusual I did find thin layers of dirt on a belt pully and some debris at the radiator and fan housing seam. My thoughts are, that perhaps this sound is dirt build up on something that spins (like the fan) and at the right RPM (idle) and some other factor(s) it resonates causing the sound. If I could remove the radiator fan/shroud, or even loosen it to lean it back, i could clean anything trapped in there and check for anything unusual. I can see some of the belt and it's path but not all of it. What I can see looks totally normal.

It is not part of my question, but related is a constant wine that follows the engine RPM (not tire speed), I've looked under the JT at the drivetrain and can't find anything even slightly unusual. Since the pitch changes with engine RPM I'm looking for parts that spin on the outside of the engine, like the fan/belts-pullies. I figure if cleaning/inspecting for the first issue doesn't resolve/illuminate this issue, then I can dig further into this one as a separate cause.

I'm open to suggestions on other places to look/check/clean.

Sponsored

 

[Rusty PW]

Alternator. Someone else was playing in the mud and packed the alternator full of mud.

 

[Coldtoes]

Alternator. Someone else was playing in the mud and packed the alternator full of mud.

Ahh OK good to know. Thanks, I'll check that. I haven't specifically looked for the alternator, hopefully it isn't too hard to access.

 

[Coldtoes]

Alternator. Someone else was playing in the mud and packed the alternator full of mud.

I did some digging and found the picture of the referenced alternator... bloody hell. That thing was more mud ball than alternator. I haven't had time to get into mine yet, but seeing as i've had no change in battery voltage, or any other signs of system failure (other than the noise) I'm assuming mine is more just "dirty" than a ball of mud.

@ShadowsPapa Assuming my alternator has dried mud in/around it, can i use a pressure washer to clean it with it installed? Or any method installed? or do I need to remove it, and if i remove it, how should it be cleaned? Note this is my DD, and I'm a little worried about making it inoperable. I have mechanical skills but am far from a professional. I always get the job done, but something also always seems to go sideways making a 30 min job take two hours.

 

[Rusty PW]

I did some digging and found the picture of the referenced alternator... bloody hell. That thing was more mud ball than alternator. I haven't had time to get into mine yet, but seeing as i've had no change in battery voltage, or any other signs of system failure (other than the noise) I'm assuming mine is more just "dirty" than a ball of mud.

@ShadowsPapa Assuming my alternator has dried mud in/around it, can i use a pressure washer to clean it with it installed? Or any method installed? or do I need to remove it, and if i remove it, how should it be cleaned? Note this is my DD, and I'm a little worried about making it inoperable. I have mechanical skills but am far from a professional. I always get the job done, but something also always seems to go sideways making a 30 min job take two hours.

I'm still trying to figure out how he managed to pack the alternator with that much mud.

With the engine off. you can take a water hose and spray the alternator.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I did some digging and found the picture of the referenced alternator... bloody hell. That thing was more mud ball than alternator. I haven't had time to get into mine yet, but seeing as i've had no change in battery voltage, or any other signs of system failure (other than the noise) I'm assuming mine is more just "dirty" than a ball of mud.

@ShadowsPapa Assuming my alternator has dried mud in/around it, can i use a pressure washer to clean it with it installed? Or any method installed? or do I need to remove it, and if i remove it, how should it be cleaned? Note this is my DD, and I'm a little worried about making it inoperable. I have mechanical skills but am far from a professional. I always get the job done, but something also always seems to go sideways making a 30 min job take two hours.

As long as it's not running- and I'd let it dry a bit before starting it.
I actually have a hair dryer in my shop for drying things when I get in a hurry.
I'd use low pressure, meaning don't point the nozzle in such a way that you force water inside at high pressure.
But there's really nothing that can be hurt getting them wet.
Don't use soap or any cleaners.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I'm still trying to figure out how he managed to pack the alternator with that much mud.

With the engine off. you can take a water hose and spray the alternator.

I have to suspect the bearings are sealed in these, and if they still use brushes, those would dry off and be fine.

 

[Coldtoes]

As long as it's not running- and I'd let it dry a bit before starting it.
I actually have a hair dryer in my shop for drying things when I get in a hurry.
I'd use low pressure, meaning don't point the nozzle in such a way that you force water inside at high pressure.
But there's really nothing that can be hurt getting them wet.
Don't use soap or any cleaners.

Thank you! I really appreciate the response!

 

[Blade1668]

A sad but valuable lesson to be learned, I destroyed a high output alternator shortly after installing it before I could install build under hood welder in XJ via mud. So in one month 2 alternators first a lot of $$$ one, second a parts store stock one. But the JT/ JL should be better designed to handle mud /water exposure.

 

[Coldtoes]

As long as it's not running- and I'd let it dry a bit before starting it.
I actually have a hair dryer in my shop for drying things when I get in a hurry.
I'd use low pressure, meaning don't point the nozzle in such a way that you force water inside at high pressure.
But there's really nothing that can be hurt getting them wet.
Don't use soap or any cleaners.

I took the fan/shroud assembly out along with the air box and air intake tube (thing). I had pretty good access to my alternator and it’s in visibly good shape. I hosed off the alternator with a hose (not a pressure washer) to clean it up a little more. No signs of issue. I also cleaned the fan and radiator well. Everything looks good. Still not sure about the slight wine, or if I should worry about it any more.

 

[Commodus]

I took the fan/shroud assembly out along with the air box and air intake tube (thing). I had pretty good access to my alternator and it’s in visibly good shape. I hosed off the alternator with a hose (not a pressure washer) to clean it up a little more. No signs of issue. I also cleaned the fan and radiator well. Everything looks good. Still not sure about the slight wine, or if I should worry about it any more.

Theses alternators do have a small wine especially if you have the factory tow package I was told that it is normal and after 3 years have not had any issues

 

[Rusty PW]

Another thought. Keep an eye on your belt idle pulleys. On my Power Wagon. Just about after each deep water crossing. I had to replace the idle pulleys within weeks.

 

[Coldtoes]

Another thought. Keep an eye on your belt idle pulleys. On my Power Wagon. Just about after each deep water crossing. I had to replace the idle pulleys within weeks.

Interesting, good to know. I was wondering about the pulleys. Is the idler pulley easy to replace? It “sounds simple”… but we all know how that can turn out when you have never done it before (like me).

 

[Rusty PW]

Interesting, good to know. I was wondering about the pulleys. Is the idler pulley easy to replace? It “sounds simple”… but we all know how that can turn out when you have never done it before (like me).

Never had to replace one on the JT yet.

Sponsored